In their last debate before next week’s election, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman and Democratic state Rep. Joe Miklosi traded few jabs and lacked the back-and-forth assaults that had become standard in previous meetings.

Tuesday’s match-up — sponsored by the Highlands Ranch Community Association and South Metro Chamber of Commerce — was the fourth head-to-head debate between the two men vying to represent the 6th Congressional District.

Aides from both campaigns have been reluctant about sharing polling data, but say they’re confident to win over voters in a competitive district that’s divided into thirds between Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters.

Seated side-by-side at a Highlands Ranch rec center, the two shared a single mic and discussed, among others issues, education the role of the federal government in job creation and energy.

On education, Coffman said he’s against federal programs like Race to the Top — implemented by the Obama administration — which supplies grant money to states in an effort to fund innovative programs that improve education.

“Education policy is best left to state and local governments,” said Coffman, noting that he also did not support No Child Left Behind, the education reform policy implemented by the Bush administration. “The problem with these grants is that they become politicized in terms of who gets them. Education is best left to school boards and state legislatures.”

Last December, Colorado received $17.9 million from Race to the Top, which is set to be doled out over the course of four years.

Miklosi said he supports the program because he believes in “increasing standards” like critical thinking.

“There needs to be an emphasis on these skills,” Miklosi said. “Finland has ranked No. 1 for six consecutive years around the world for all industrialized nations … the key difference (between U.S. and Finland education) is that they emphasize critical thinking skills. Those are skills we need to emphasize.”

In regard to making Colorado a national leader in energy development, Miklosi — who was an outcast in the GOP-friendly audience in Highlands Ranch — said he wants to make the state the renewable energy capital of America.

“I don’t want to demonize the traditional fuel industries,” Miklosi said, noting that local universities should be job incubators to grow the industry. ” I just want to make sure the clean sector has a seat at that table.”

Coffman said he believes in an “all of the above” strategy when it comes to energy, touting his support of an extension of the wind productions tax credits in Congress.

However, the two-term incumbent said that where he and Miklosi differ is when it comes to the federal loan guarantee program that created the likes of Solyndra and Colorado based – Abound Solar — two companies that have failed since receiving substantial amounts of money from the U.S. government.

“It’s the tax payers that are the back stop,” when these companies don’t do well Coffman said. “Those decisions are not necessarily made under the best economic circumstances, but are again politicized … that’s fundamentally wrong.”

Miklosi said he’s for transparency and accountability to make sure there’s “no more Solyndra’s,” adding that what Coffman was not willing to mention is that there’s dozens of other green energy companies that are successful and employ thousands of workers in the private sector after receiving loans under the Obama administration’s stimulus package.

“That’s a pretty go batting average,” Miklosi said.

The 6th District is spans Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties. Election Day is Nov. 6.

Coffman is an absolutely terrible fit for this District. His views are Tea Party on steriods.

Dave in Highlands Ranch

We went to this debate and Coffman won hands down with his mature, well-considered and thoughtful replies. He brought up the many times he had worked with Democrats to push forward federal legislation which benefits Coloradans. His grasp of financial details is superb, as when he explained what exactly drove businesses out of the U.S. and how the tax code can be fixed to lure them back. Miklosi seems like just another Democrat flak, just mouthing talking points about “fair shakes” for everyone, “tea party radicals,” more federal money, more spending on useless green energy. Coffman was the adult in the room. This report always gives Miklosi the last word, but Miklosi was badly mistaken about big issues like the federal deficit, which Coffman corrected him on.

Congress Coffman has shown a willingness and ability to work across the aisle to get things done in service of the American people. When someone is about bashing the other party or parties, it shows you how unwilling they will be to work with those parties to get rid of the gridlock in DC so the American people can prosper. Enough ideology already, we need more people like Mike Coffman to get our country working again.

Carson Holmes

This was Joe Miklosi’s swan song. Odd candidate with a badly run campaign out of Washington, DC. He never introduced himself to voters who never really knew who he was. He was perceived as being as negative and bitter. His constant barrage of attack ads turned off a lot of voters, particularly when various media “truth tests” found his claims to be false and misleading. Voters are fortunate to be able to have Mike Coffman on hand to be Aurora’s first congressman.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.